Phaeoid fungi (Dark) Opportunists – Septate Molds

Microscopy: Large poroconidia with transverse and longitudinal septa

Alternaria spp.

Appearance: Club-shaped with a beak-like apex.

Alternaria spp.

Alternaria spp.

Microscopy: “Bent-knee” conidiophores; bipolar germ tube formation.

Bipolaris spp.

Bipolaris spp.

Microscopy: Short chains of conidia from shield cells; distinctive scars on conidia.

Cladosporium spp.

Clinical Use: Common lab contaminant but can cause subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis.

Cladosporium spp.

Cladosporium spp.

Microscopy: Large poroconidia with enlarged central cell, curved shape.

Curvularia spp.

Relevance: Frequently causes sinusitis, keratitis, and CNS infection.

Curvularia spp.

Curvularia spp.

.Microscopy: “Bent-knee” conidiophores; poroconidia with protruding truncate hila.

Exserohilum spp

Clinical Relevance: May cause sinusitis, keratitis, and was associated with fungal meningitis outbreak (2012).

Exserohilum spp

Exserohilum spp

Microscopy: Round, dark conidia with multiple septa, produced on sporodochia.

Epicoccum spp.

Relevance: Rare clinical significance, mostly contaminant.

Epicoccum spp.

Epicoccum spp.

Microscopy: Short conidiophores with single dark conidia; smooth, oval.

Nigrospora spp.

Nigrospora spp.